Automatic flavor-injected blending apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

An automatic flavor-injected blending apparatus includes a base, a processor, and a user input in signal communication with the processor. A blending spindle is rotatably affixed at an upper end to the base and is rotatable under processor control. A container support is movably affixed to the base and is movable between a lower position for placing a container thereon and an upper position closer to the spindle&#39;s upper end. A selected flavor is injectable into the container. Software is resident in the processor that is adapted to receive the flavor selection and actuate the injection. The software is further adapted to actuate the spindle rotation. Since the blending process is automated, the server can start the apparatus, step away and attend to other duties while the apparatus is functioning, and return at a later time after a timer has turned off the spindle rotator.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from provisional applicationSer. No. 60/283,124, “Automatic Flavor-Injected Blending Apparatus andMethod,” filed Apr. 11, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to the dispensing andmixing of multi-flavored drinks and semisolid foods such as milkshakes,frozen custards, slushes, slurries, and the like, and more particularlyto an efficient and cost effective method of preparing a flavored shakeor slurry.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Beverage dispensing systems are used to provide consumers withbeverages that are typically a mixture of previously stored concentrateand water. Further, milk shake machines are available for use infast-food-styled restaurants, but such machines are typically expensive.In addition, storage of product used is typically within the machinethus demanding expensive retail space for placement and convenient use.

[0006] By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,686 to Jarrett discloses abeverage dispensing system for providing different flavored drinks mixedfrom concentrate and water. Containers including the different flavorsof concentrate are stored for pumping to a hand held, “bar-gun” styled,dispensing nozzle. Valves within the dispensing head control theconcentrate discharge when a selected beverage is desired, and anappropriate amount of concentrate and water are dischargedsimultaneously to ensure that the end beverage contains the desiredmixture. User operated vending machines, such as that described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,341,957 to Sizemore, discloses a cup-type vending systemwhich includes a currency output device and automatically outputs abeverage into a cup in response to a payment and selection of abeverage. The vending machine includes a plurality of disposablecontainers of beverage syrup, such as “bag-in-box” packages, stored inan auxiliary cabinet. A dispensing system functions to draw syrup fromthe disposable containers and selectively dispense a predefined orselected amount of syrup into an awaiting cup. The system includespumping stages wherein one stage draws a selected amount of syrup from apackage through a feed conduit and discharges the selected amountthrough a nozzle into the cup.

[0007] By way of further example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,295,997 to Tomlinsonet al. discloses a milk shake machine which include a mixer for reducingpre-frozen flavored ingredients stored within a container to a flavoredmilk shake with the addition of a preselected amount of milk suppliedfrom a milk storage tank carried by the machine. U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,691to Reese et al. discloses a frozen drink mixer for preparing blendedbeverages, particularly frozen drinks, in which an ice dispenser, liquidmix dispenser, and blender are combined into a single unit. Theapparatus automatically delivers an appropriate amount of ice and liquidto the blender unit and turns on the blender at an appropriate time toprepare the frozen drink of desired size. A drink mixing and dispensingmachine described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,855,007 stores a mix within a tankcarried by the machine and pumps the mix through a freezing chamberprior to dispensing into a cup which is held under a mixing blade. Syruppumps are also carried within the cabinet of the machine for dispensingone or two syrups into the cup before repositioning the cup under themixer for dispensing and mixing the syrup with the milk shape styledmix. In the known prior art, such systems are calibrated to deliver apredetermined amount of flavoring, which obviates the possibility ofserving different-volume containers.

[0008] While a variety of milk shake styled syrup dispensing and mixingdevices and methods are known in the art, there remains a need for aneconomical method for efficiently and cost effectively providing acustomer with a plurality of options for a milk shake flavored asdesired by the customer, including varied sizes and flavors. Further,the currently known systems require manual holding and movement of thecup during the blending process, which in a fast-food-style environmentis too time-intensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anautomatic flavor-injected blending apparatus and a method of use.

[0010] It is another object to provide such an apparatus and method formaking a plurality of sized blended foodstuffs.

[0011] It is an additional object to provide such an apparatus andmethod that decreases human interaction time.

[0012] It is a further object to provide such an apparatus and methodthat includes an inventory function.

[0013] It is also an object to provide such an apparatus and method thatincludes an ability to monitor a temperature of a material to be used inthe blended foodstuff.

[0014] It is yet an additional object to provide an apparatus and methodfor tracking consumption data on a foodstuff.

[0015] It is yet another object to provide such an apparatus and methodfor relaying tracked consumption data to a remote site.

[0016] These and other objects are achieved by the present invention, anautomatic flavor-injected blending apparatus. The apparatus comprises abase, a processor, and user input means in signal communication with theprocessor. The input means has means for entering a flavor selectionchosen from a plurality of flavor selections.

[0017] The apparatus further comprises a blending spindle that isrotatably affixed at an upper end to the base. The spindle has ablending blade adjacent a lower end thereof. Means for rotating thespindle is under processor control. A container support, which isadapted to hold, for example, a cup, is movably affixed to the base. Thecontainer support has a support surface adapted to hold a containerthereon. The container support is movable between a lower position forplacing the container thereon and an upper position wherein the supportsurface is closer to the spindle's upper end.

[0018] Means under processor control inject the selected flavor into thecontainer.

[0019] Software means are resident in the processor that is adapted toreceive the flavor selection and actuate the injecting means. Thesoftware means is further adapted to actuate the spindle rotating meansand lower the container support from the upper position to the lowerposition.

[0020] The method of the present invention is for automaticallypreparing a flavor-blended comestible responsive to an order therefor.The method comprises the steps of

[0021] This system achieves an automatic process and apparatus thereforfor mixing a comestible product in a container such as a cup, forexample. The comestible may comprise, but is not intended to be limitedto, a milk shake, fruit shake, smoothie, or frozen dessert. Since theblending process is automated, the server can start the apparatus, stepaway and attend to other duties while the apparatus is functioning, andreturn at a later time after the timer has turned off the spindlerotator. Further, an improved quality and perception of improved qualityare both achieved, since the blending occurs at the time of order, andthe consumer is served a freshly prepared product.

[0022] As an additional feature of the present invention, the softwaremeans is also adapted to track consumption data based upon operatorinput. An output in signal communication with the processor providesmeans for relaying consumption information tracked by the processor to aremote site. Such a feature is not intended to be limited to thebeverage apparatus aspect of the present invention, and will be seen byone of skill in the art to provide benefit for inventorying and trackingconsumption data from any point-of-sale outlet.

[0023] The features that characterize the invention, both as toorganization and method of operation, together with further objects andadvantages thereof, will be better understood from the followingdescription used in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. It is tobe expressly understood that the drawing is for the purpose ofillustration and description and is not intended as a definition of thelimits of the invention. These and other objects attained, andadvantages offered, by the present invention will become more fullyapparent as the description that now follows is read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the blending apparatus.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the blending apparatus.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a top side view of the cup holder.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a front view of the cup holder bracket.

[0028]FIG. 5 is a front view of the selection touch screen.

[0029]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] A description of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention will now be presented with reference to FIGS. 1-6.

[0031] Front and side views of the apparatus 10 of the present inventionare shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a schematic diagram in FIG. 7. Thefunctions of the apparatus 10 are under control of a processor 30, whichhas resident thereon software 53 for performing the control calculationsand functions (FIG. 10).

[0032] A base of the apparatus 10 comprises a housing 11 that has asubstantially horizontal bottom 12 positionable on a serving surfacesuch as a counter. A substantially vertical back 13 extends upward froma back edge of the bottom 12. A shelf 14 extending substantiallyhorizontally forward of the back 13 and above the bottom 12 forms aspace 50 enclosed on three sides. Depending from the underside of theshelf 14 at its upper end 151 is a rotatable spindle 15 that has aplurality of blending blades 16 adjacent a lower end 152. The spindle 15is rotatable by a motor 52, the actuation of which is under processor 30control, as will be discussed in the following.

[0033] Through the shelf 14 extend a plurality of ports 17 for injectingflavoring therethrough from a plurality of reservoirs 33. Each reservoir33 holds a unitary flavoring in a flowable state. A pump 32 is in fluidcommunication with a line 321 leading from each reservoir 33 to an inlet171 of a respective port 17. Each port 17 further has an outlet 172, theoutlets 172 positioned adjacent and in surrounding relation to thespindle's top end 151.

[0034] Affixed to the back 13 within the space 50 is a cup holderbracket 18 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) having a holder stop 56 positioned withina groove 181 in the bracket 18. The holder stop 56 comprises a switch insignal communication with the processor 30. Slidably affixed to thebracket 18 is a cup holder 19 that comprises a traveling attachmentportion 20 having a slider 201 that is insertable into the bracket 18and is slidable relative thereto and a support surface 21 extendinggenerally horizontally outward from the attachment portion 20. Theholder stop 56 serves to limit the upward motion of the cup holder 19and thereby define the upper position of the cup holder 19.

[0035] The support surface 21 has a generally circular hole 22therethrough that is dimensioned to hold a bottom portion of a cup 23. Ahandle 24 depends downward from the front of the support surface 21. Ina preferred embodiment the cup 23 will contain a frozen neutral-flavoredproduct, and a generally dome-shaped lid 25 is placed thereatop that hasa hole 26 dimensioned to permit the spindle blades 16 therethrough andto permit an injection of flavoring through the ports 17.

[0036] An actuator 27 such as is known in the art is affixed at a bottomend 271 to the bottom 12 adjacent the back 13. The actuator 27 has amovable arm 28 extending from the top 272 thereof that is attached to aprotrusion 29 extending from the cup holder's attachment portion 20. Inthis application the user places a cup 23 in the hole 26 when the cupholder 19 is in the lower position and lifts the handle 24 until theattachment portion 20 reaches the holder stop 56, with the cup holder 19in the upper position.

[0037] When activated, the arm 28 moves up and down for a predeterminedamount of time while the spindle 15 is rotating, thereby moving the cupholder bracket 18 and the cup 23 for a predetermined time tosufficiently blend the selected product. Preferably the arm 28 movesover a sufficient vertical range in order to translate the spindleblades 16 from adjacent the cup's bottom 231 to adjacent a fill level232 of the cup 23, in order to achieve a desired complete mixing of theflavoring into the neutral-flavored product. The software 53 thus isadapted to direct a repetitive vertical movement of the cup holderbracket 18 relative to the spindle 15 in a range of motion between afirst blending position and a second blending position, wherein theupper position is contained within that range of motion.

[0038] A substantially transparent shield 55 is affixed to the housing11 depending from the shelf 14. The shield 55 forms a three-sidedprotective guard around the spindle 15 in order to prevent splash andalso to minimize user contact with the spindle 15 during operation.

[0039] Housed atop the shelf 14 is the processor 30 that, with theresident software 53, controls the functions and timing of the apparatus10. The processor 30 is in signal communication with a plurality ofrelays 31 that in turn control a plurality of pumps 32. Each pump 32 isin fluid communication with a reservoir 33 of flavoring, such as asyrup. Fluid lines 321 lead from each reservoir 33 to the ports 17 todeliver the flavoring to the cup 23.

[0040] The software 53 is in communication with a timer 54 housed withthe processor 30 and is adapted to receive a signal entered by the user,for example, for determining which reservoir 33 to tap, and for how longto run the pump 32, comprising a first predetermined time. The type offlavoring is based upon the selected product flavor, and the amount offlavoring is based upon the selected product volume. The signal alsodetermines blending duration, which is dependent, for example, upon suchcriteria as the product size and type selected and product viscosity(FIG. 6). The blending duration comprises a second predetermined time.

[0041] An input signal is entered by the user via a touch screen 34 suchas depicted in FIG. 9, although this configuration and the selectionsthereon are not intended as limitations. The touch screen 34 is insignal communication with the processor 30. The touch screen 34 is apreferred, although not exclusive, input device because it is readilyadaptable and reprogrammable to different situations as desired. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 9, three flavors 35 and three sizes 36 areavailable. In addition, prompts to the user are provided to permitdifferent screens to be displayed on a menu 37, select a flavor 38,clean the apparatus 39, cancel an order 40, change language 41, and turnthe apparatus off 42. These choices are exemplary and not intended to belimiting, and one of skill in the art will recognize that anyconfiguration and arrangement of selections is possible. As theapparatus 10 is under processor 30 control, it will be seen that avirtually limitless array of options can be programmed, which isimportant in being adaptable to different settings, and, make allowancesfor viscosity of the product and a tested required blending time forcertain flavorings that require a longer blending time than others. Theprocessor 30 also controls the speed of the actuator's travel up anddown, which is programmable for desired product.

[0042] An additional feature of the invention comprises means fortracking a temperature of a freezer 44 in which the cup ofneutral-flavored product is stored prior to blending. A sensor 45 in thefreezer 44 has an output leading to an input to the processor 30, wherethe software 53 is also adapted to monitor the temperature to assurethat it stays within a predetermined acceptable range. If thetemperature falls out of that range, an alarm is sent to the screen 34for viewing by the user.

[0043] The present apparatus 10 has in an exemplary embodiment beentested to require approximately 7 sec to set up and 3 sec to release thecompleted product, a total of 10 sec operator time, which makes possiblethe use of this apparatus 10 in settings wherein minimizing operatorintervention time is a critical, such as fast food and othertake-out-type restaurants.

[0044] In an alternate embodiment, the desired product may require noflavoring to be added by the apparatus 10. For example, in the type ofproduct having a nonfluid additive such as crushed cookies or smallcandies, the operator would add the additive to the cup 23 prior topositioning the cover 25 and placing the cup 23 in the holder's hole 26.Then the automatic blending process can ensue.

[0045] Another aspect of the present invention, which may be considereddistinct from the blending apparatus milieu, comprises means fortracking product consumed, with all the associated data such as flavors,sizes, alarm status, etc. The software 53 tracks these data and isadapted to output them to a remote site 43, whether at the same locationbut a different computer or a distant central data processing center,such as a corporate headquarters. A modem 46 in electronic communicationwith the processor 30 provides an exemplary channel for outputting thesedata, which, as will be understood by one of skill in the art, isreadily configurable to a desired functionality.

[0046] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used forbrevity, clarity, and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations areto be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art,because such words are used for description purposes herein and areintended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the embodiments of theapparatus illustrated and described herein are by way of example, andthe scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details ofconstruction.

[0047] Having now described the invention, the construction, theoperation and use of preferred embodiment thereof, and the advantageousnew and useful results obtained thereby, the new and usefulconstructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious tothose skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims. A timerthat is under processor control times an activation of the rotatingmeans based upon the product flavor and the product volume while thesupport is in the upper position.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automatic flavor-injected blending apparatuscomprising: a base; a processor; user input means in signalcommunication with the processor, the user input means having means forentering a flavor selection chosen from a plurality of flavorselections; a blending spindle rotatably affixed at an upper end to thebase, the spindle having a blending blade adjacent a lower end thereof;means for rotating the spindle under control of the processor; acontainer support movably affixed to the base, the container supporthaving a support surface adapted to hold a container thereon and movablebetween a lower position and an upper position wherein the supportsurface is closer to the spindle upper end; means for injecting theselected flavor into the container; and software means resident in theprocessor adapted to: actuate the injecting means; and actuate thespindle rotating means.
 2. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein thebase comprises a housing having: a substantially horizontal bottompositionable upon a serving surface; a substantially vertical backextending upward from a back edge of the bottom; a shelf extendingsubstantially horizontally from the back and above the bottom, apartially enclosed space formed by the bottom, the back, and the shelf,the spindle affixed to and extending beneath the shelf into the space,the container support affixed to the back.
 3. The apparatus recited inclaim 2, wherein: the shelf has a plurality of ports therethrough, anoutlet of each port positioned adjacent the spindle top end; and theflavor injecting means comprises a line leading from each of a pluralityof flavor reservoirs to an inlet of a respective port and a plurality ofpumps, each pump in fluid communication with a respective line forpumping flavor from the reservoir corresponding to the selected flavorthrough the respective line to the corresponding port inlet.
 4. Theapparatus recited in claim 3, wherein the software means is furtheradapted to receive the entered flavor selection from the user inputmeans, actuate the pump corresponding to the entered flavor selection,and actuate the spindle rotating means.
 5. The apparatus recited inclaim 4, further comprising timing means in signal communication withthe processor, and wherein the software means is further adapted toaccess the timing means, actuate the pump for a first predeterminedtime, and actuate the spindle rotating means for a second predeterminedtime.
 6. The apparatus recited in claim 5, wherein the user input meansfurther has means for entering a product size chosen from a plurality ofproduct sizes, and wherein the first and the second predetermined timesare dependent upon the selected product size.
 7. The apparatus recitedin claim 1, wherein the spindle rotating means comprises a motor havinga shaft affixed for rotation adjacent the spindle top end.
 8. Theapparatus recited in claim 2, wherein the container support comprises: abracket affixed to the back within the space, the bracket having asubstantially vertical groove therein; and a cup holder comprising: anattachment portion having a slider insertable into and slidable withinthe bracket groove; and a support surface extending substantiallyhorizontally outward from the attachment portion.
 9. The apparatusrecited in claim 8, wherein the bracket further has a holder stoppositioned within the groove, for limiting an upward motion of the cupholder and for defining the upper position.
 10. The apparatus recited inclaim 9, wherein the cup holder further comprises a handle dependingdownward from the support surface, for permitting a manual movement ofthe cup holder between the upper and the lower positions.
 11. Theapparatus recited in claim 8, wherein the support surface has asubstantially circular hole therethrough dimensioned for admitting abottom portion of a cup and for restraining an upper portion of a cup.12. The apparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising an actuatorhaving a first end affixed to the base and a second end affixed to thecontainer support, the actuator comprising means for moving thecontainer support in a vertical direction, the moving means in signalcommunication with the processor, and wherein the software means isfurther adapted to direct the moving means to effect a repetitivevertical movement of the container support relative to the spindle in arange of motion between a first blending position and a second blendingposition, the upper position contained within the range.
 13. Theapparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising a shield member affixedto the base in at least partially surrounding relation to the spindle.14. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the injecting meanscomprises a pump in fluid communication with a flavoring reservoir, andfurther comprising means in signal communication with the software meansfor controlling the actuation of the pump.
 15. The apparatus recited inclaim 14, wherein the controlling means comprises a relay.
 16. Theapparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the user input means comprises atouch screen.
 17. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the userinput means further has means for entering a desired product size. 18.The apparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising a temperaturesensor positionable in a preblended product freezer, the sensor insignal communication with the processor, and wherein the software meansis further adapted to receive a sensed temperature from the sensor andissue an alarm if the sensed temperature is outside a predeterminedacceptable range.
 19. The apparatus recited in claim 18, furthercomprising a user output device in signal communication with theprocessor, and wherein the software means is further adapted to displaythe issued alarm on the user output device.
 20. The apparatus recited inclaim 1, further comprising means in signal communication with theprocessor for interfacing with another processor, and wherein thesoftware means is further adapted to track the entered flavor selectionand to transmit the entered flavor selection via the interfacing meansto another processor.
 21. A software application installable on aprocessor for directing the automatic preparation of a flavor-blendedcomestible comprising: means for receiving a flavor selection entered bya user; means for directing an injection of the selected flavor into acontainer; and means for directing a rotation of a blending spindle. 22.The software application recited in claim 21, wherein the injectiondirecting means comprises means for actuating a pump in fluidcommunication with a fluid line, the line in fluid communication with areservoir corresponding to the selected flavor through the respectiveline to the corresponding port inlet.
 23. The software applicationrecited in claim 22, wherein the pump actuating means comprises meansfor activating a relay in electronic communication with the pump. 24.The software application recited in claim 21, further comprising meansfor accessing a timer in signal communication with the processor, meansfor actuating the pump for a first predetermined time, and means fordirecting the spindle rotation for a second predetermined time.
 25. Thesoftware application recited in claim 24, further comprising means forreceiving a product size entered by the user, and wherein the first andthe second predetermined times are dependent upon the entered productsize.
 26. The software application recited in claim 21, furthercomprising means for directing a repetitive vertical movement of thecontainer relative to the spindle in a range of motion between a firstblending position and a second blending position, the upper positioncontained within the range.
 27. The software application recited inclaim 21, further comprising means for receiving a sensed temperaturefrom a preblended product freezer and for issuing an alarm if the sensedtemperature is outside a predetermined acceptable range.
 28. Thesoftware application recited in claim 21, further comprising means fortracking the entered flavor selection and for transmitting the enteredflavor selection to another processor.
 29. A control system forcontrolling the automatic preparation of a flavor-blended comestiblecomprising: a processor; a first relay under processor control forcontrolling a flow of flavoring between a reservoir and a container; asecond relay under processor control for controlling a rotation of ablending spindle; a software application installable on the processoradapted to: receive a flavoring selection entered by a user; actuate thefirst relay to direct an injection of the selected flavoring into acontainer; and actuate the second relay to direct a rotation of ablending spindle.
 30. The control system recited in claim 29, furthercomprising timing means in signal communication with the processor, andwherein the software application is further adapted to access the timingmeans, actuate the pump for a first predetermined time, and actuate thespindle rotating means for a second predetermined time.
 31. The controlsystem recited in claim 30, wherein the software application is furtheradapted to receive a product size entered by the user, and wherein thefirst and the second predetermined times are dependent upon the enteredproduct size.
 32. The control system recited in claim 29, wherein theprocessor is connected in controlling relation to a means for moving thecontainer in a vertical direction, and wherein the software applicationis further adapted to direct the moving means to effect a repetitivevertical movement of the container relative to the spindle in a range ofmotion between a first blending position and a second blending position,the upper position contained within the range.
 33. The control systemrecited in claim 29, wherein the software application is adapted tocontrol an actuation of a pump in fluid communication with a flavoringreservoir for effecting the flavoring injection.
 34. The control systemrecited in claim 29, wherein the software application is further adaptedto receive a sensed temperature from a preblended product freezer and toissue an alarm if the sensed temperature is outside a predeterminedacceptable range.
 35. The software application recited in claim 29,further comprising means for tracking the entered flavor selection andfor transmitting the entered flavor selection to another processor. 36.A method for automatically preparing a flavor-blended comestible, themethod comprising the steps of: entering a flavor selection chosen froma plurality of flavor selections into a processor; moving a containersupport adapted to hold a container there on from a lower position to anupper position wherein a blending spindle resides at least partiallywithin the container, the container holding a substantiallyneutral-flavored comestible; injecting the selected flavor into thecontainer; and actuating the blending spindle to blend the flavoringinto the comestible.
 37. The method recited in claim 36, wherein theflavor injecting step comprises pumping flavor from a reservoir througha fluid line to a port inlet positioned above the container.
 38. Themethod recited in claim 37, further comprising timing the pumping stepfor a first predetermined time, and timing the spindle actuating stepfor a second predetermined time.
 39. The method recited in claim 38,further comprising the step of entering a product size chosen from aplurality of product sizes, and wherein the first and the secondpredetermined times are dependent upon the selected product size. 40.The method recited in claim 36, further comprising moving the containersupport in a repetitive vertical movement relative to the spindle in arange of motion between a first blending position and a second blendingposition, the upper position contained within the range.
 41. The methodrecited in claim 36, further comprising the steps of receiving a sensedtemperature from a preblended product freezer and to issuing an alarm ifthe sensed temperature is outside a predetermined acceptable range. 42.The method recited in claim 36, further comprising the steps of trackingthe entered flavor selection and transmitting the entered flavorselection to another processor.